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Atlantic City Councilman Kaleem Shabazz says he protested at the 1964 Democratic National Convention, but he didn’t realize at the time history was taking place inside as Fannie Lou Hamer stood up for black voting rights.

On Aug. 22, 1964, Fannie Lou Hamer speaks before the credentials committee of the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City in an effort to win accreditation for her largely black group as Mississippi’s delegation to the convention, instead of the all-white state delegation.

The Formal Dedication of the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room at the Atlantic City campus in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The college announced last year it would be naming the new event space in Hamer’s honor. Nov. 1, 2018, (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)

The Formal Dedication of the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room at the Atlantic City campus in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The college announced last year it would be naming the new event space in Hamer’s honor. Nov. 1, 2018, (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)

L to r: Joe Walsh, Dr, Harvey Kesselman, President of Stockton University, Kaleem Shabazz, Atlantic City Councilman, Leo Schoffer, Chairman of Stockton Board of Trustees and Pat Reid-Merritt, unveil a plaque, formally dedicate its event space at the city campus in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The college announced last year it would be naming the new event space in Hamer’s honor. Nov. 1, 2018, (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)

Stockton University professors Joe Walsh and Patricia Reid-Merritt had the idea to name the event space at the college’s Atlantic City campus for Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention in the city.

Dr. Beverly Vaughn, Professor of Music and Stockton University Freedom Singers sang “This little light of Mine” during the dedication event space at the city campus in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The college announced last year it would be naming the new event space in Hamer’s honor. Nov. 1, 2018, (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)

The Formal Dedication of the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room at the Atlantic City campus in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The college announced last year it would be naming the new event space in Hamer’s honor. Nov. 1, 2018, (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)

Pat Reid-Merritt had a few words during the Formal Dedication of the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room at the Atlantic City campus in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The college announced last year it would be naming the new event space in Hamer’s honor. Nov. 1, 2018, (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)

Civil rights activist Hamer remembered with event room at Stockton AC

Atlantic City Councilman Kaleem Shabazz says he protested at the 1964 Democratic National Convention, but he didn’t realize at the time history was taking place inside as Fannie Lou Hamer stood up for black voting rights.

On Aug. 22, 1964, Fannie Lou Hamer speaks before the credentials committee of the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City in an effort to win accreditation for her largely black group as Mississippi’s delegation to the convention, instead of the all-white state delegation.

The Formal Dedication of the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room at the Atlantic City campus in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The college announced last year it would be naming the new event space in Hamer’s honor. Nov. 1, 2018, (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)

The Formal Dedication of the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room at the Atlantic City campus in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The college announced last year it would be naming the new event space in Hamer’s honor. Nov. 1, 2018, (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)

L to r: Joe Walsh, Dr, Harvey Kesselman, President of Stockton University, Kaleem Shabazz, Atlantic City Councilman, Leo Schoffer, Chairman of Stockton Board of Trustees and Pat Reid-Merritt, unveil a plaque, formally dedicate its event space at the city campus in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The college announced last year it would be naming the new event space in Hamer’s honor. Nov. 1, 2018, (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)

Stockton University professors Joe Walsh and Patricia Reid-Merritt had the idea to name the event space at the college’s Atlantic City campus for Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention in the city.

Dr. Beverly Vaughn, Professor of Music and Stockton University Freedom Singers sang “This little light of Mine” during the dedication event space at the city campus in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The college announced last year it would be naming the new event space in Hamer’s honor. Nov. 1, 2018, (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)

The Formal Dedication of the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room at the Atlantic City campus in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The college announced last year it would be naming the new event space in Hamer’s honor. Nov. 1, 2018, (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)

Pat Reid-Merritt had a few words during the Formal Dedication of the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room at the Atlantic City campus in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist known for her speech during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The college announced last year it would be naming the new event space in Hamer’s honor. Nov. 1, 2018, (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)

ATLANTIC CITY — Juanita J. High was a teacher in Atlantic City when Fannie Lou Hamer made her famous remarks during the 1964 Democratic National Convention at Boardwalk Hall.

“It was a very exciting time,” High said Thursday as Stockton University dedicated the event space at the new Atlantic City campus in Hamer’s honor.

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Now, future generations will learn more about that historic appearance by the civil rights activist from Mississippi, speakers said during the dedication ceremony, which included a proclamation and resolution from the city and the unveiling of a plaque.

“This room is going to be the hub of Stockton A.C., and so many people will be exposed to this name,” said Stockton Board of Trustees President Leo Schoffer.

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP — Like the woman it honored, there was nothing sedate about Tuesday’s Fann…

Hamer was a major figure in the Civil Rights Movement, fighting for voting rights for African Americans nationally and mounting a run for Congress. Her phrase “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired” was a rallying cry for the movement.

On Aug. 22, 1964, Hamer testified at the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City in opposition to the seating of an all-white Mississippi delegation. Although her efforts were defeated, her testimony was broadcast nationally. One year later, the Voting Rights Act was passed.

Stockton’s Board of Trustees approved the naming of the event space in December. The proposal was developed by Distinguished Professor of Social Work and Africana Studies Patricia Reid-Merritt and Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion Joseph Walsh.

Students at Stockton University can take advantage of discounted rates for tuition and housi…

High, who worked for many years as executive assistant to former Stockton President Vera King Farris and is now a member of the Stockton Foundation Board, said she thinks the college is playing a leadership role in highlighting Hamer's efforts.

City Councilman Kaleem Shabazz, who filled in for Mayor Frank Gilliam, said he was also at the 1964 convention, protesting outside on a soapbox at the age of 16. After the dedication, Shabazz said he didn’t know at the time that history was taking place.

“This is a good day. Fannie Lou Hamer is someone we need to continue to lift up,” Shabazz said. “That fight that Fannie Lou Hamer led, we are still fighting and we have to continue to fight.”

The dedication included a musical performance by Stockton Professor of Music Beverly Vaughn, who said the dedication was significant for the college and for Atlantic City.

“For Stockton to take a stand, I think that’s sending out a message,” she said.

The event included a video message from Hamer’s daughter, Jackie Hamer Flakes.

“My mother would have loved to be here for this occasion,” she said. “That is a huge blessing because when she was growing up she didn’t have a chance to get the education that is afforded to our young people these days.”

Stockton President Harvey Kesselman said the university previously had not named an event space for someone who was not affiliated with the university.

“And who better ought we begin that tradition with,” Kesselman said.

He said he hopes Stockton will stand for the same principles as Hamer.

I began covering South Jersey in 2008 after graduating from Rowan University with a degree in journalism. I joined The Press in 2015. In 2013, I was awarded a NJPA award for feature writing as a reporter for The Current of Hamilton Township.

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